The phenomenon of genocide has been called 'the crime of crimes'. This course seeks to give the student an understanding of the history of genocide in the modern world. The main focus of the course is on the twentieth century and on the Jewish Holocaust during the Second World War. The course also takes a comparative approach by examining genocides, the origins of the concept and contemporary debates surrounding its definition and prevention. Students will explore issues such as: the link between genocide and war; motivation of perpetrators; the moral dilemmas of victims and bystanders; and how the definition of genocide as a crime in international law affects the policy of modern states. Students will also examine the most recent historical arguments about genocide, including the question of colonial genocide.